Rationale of the research
Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) is a nuanced approach to discourse analysis that emphasizes a critical perspective (Van Dijk, 2001) This methodology appeals to both linguists and social analysts, yet it requires significant time and commitment for a comprehensive understanding In Vietnam, the emphasis has predominantly been on linguistic and discourse features rather than functional aspects, highlighting a gap in the application of CDA.
Analyzing media discourse is essential for several reasons First, media texts serve as readily accessible resources for research, education, and analysis Additionally, the language used by speech communities and their attitudes towards it are both represented in and shaped by media discourses Furthermore, media plays a crucial role in reflecting and influencing the formation of culture, politics, ideologies, and social life Ultimately, studying media discourses provides valuable insights into the social meanings and stereotypes that are embedded, produced, and reproduced through communication.
In recent decades, North Korea's nuclear program has garnered significant global attention, particularly regarding the reactions from the United States and the involvement of six key nations: Russia, China, Japan, South Korea, the U.S., and North Korea itself This complex geopolitical situation is often viewed as a strategic game orchestrated by Pyongyang, with no practical solutions emerging despite ongoing efforts, raising concerns that a third world war could be a possibility.
My choice of research topic, titled “Reporting on America-North Korea’s Debate Over Pyongyang’s Nuclear Crisis: A Critical Discourse Analysis,” is driven by the various reasons outlined above.
Aims and Objectives of the research
This research aims to explore the ideological role of language in shaping perceptions of the world, specifically focusing on how two media organizations utilize language to construct narratives surrounding the nuclear issue.
Media critics like Chomsky (1989) and Karim (2000) argue that mainstream media fails to objectively represent the truth due to various constraints These limitations, which include economic factors, institutional pressures, and news production practices, contribute to a mediated perspective on important issues.
Significance of the research
This article aims to provide a deeper understanding of the connections between language and society, particularly focusing on how language use reflects and shapes power dynamics and ideologies within discourse.
Scope of the research
Covering the extensive topic of the America and North Korea debate through numerous news reports is impractical A more effective approach would be to conduct a general content analysis rather than an in-depth critical discourse analysis, given the vast amount of information available.
A recent survey of news threads in QDND indicates that Vietnamese media reflects a general public sympathy for North Korea while criticizing the US's hostile stance towards Pyongyang The ongoing tensions between North Korea and the United States have fluctuated, largely influenced by each side's responses to North Korea's controversial nuclear program, which has yet to be conclusively proven.
Due to the extensive history of over fifty years and numerous news articles on the topic, I chose to focus on a specific timeframe from May 30, 2009, to September 5, 2009 During this period, the United States reported indications of missile tests by Pyongyang, which heightened tensions between the two nations.
Organization of the research
The study is divided into three chapters:
This article introduces the rationale behind the research, outlining its objectives, significance, and scope It also presents key research questions and the methodology employed, while providing essential background information on the ongoing conflict between the US and North Korea.
Chapter 1 provides an overview of media studies traditions, outlines the theoretical framework for the thesis, discusses the significance of Systemic Functional Linguistics in Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), and reviews existing literature on media discourse research.
Chapter 2 outlines the data sources and details the procedures for data collection and analysis It also highlights the analytical tools employed in the data analysis process, presenting the findings derived from the analysis.
The conclusion summarizes the findings, draws out implications and makes suggestions for further research
6 The US and North Korea relations – Some background information
Understanding the historical relationship between North Korea and America is essential, as it lays the groundwork for a more comprehensive analysis of their interactions and dynamics.
North Korea's occupation by Japan ended with World War II in 1945, leading to the division of the country along the 38th parallel, with the North under Soviet control and the South under American influence This division sparked a three-year war that concluded with both sides asserting authority over the peninsula Although the leaders of North and South Korea sought unification, the strong influence of the superpowers hindered any progress Following the withdrawal of Russian troops from North Korea, American dominance intensified, resulting in a tumultuous relationship between North and South Korea, characterized by ongoing hostility from the United States towards Pyongyang.
The conflict between North Korea and the United States began in 1987 when North Korea initiated its first 5 KW nuclear reactor, prompting the U.S to request United Nations inspections due to concerns over its nuclear program North Korea consented to inspections on the condition that the U.S and the West would provide financial support and assistance in building two light water reactors for peaceful purposes However, the U.S later reneged on this promise, citing suspicions that North Korea had secretly resumed its nuclear activities This mutual distrust has led to fluctuating relations characterized by periods of both tension and temporary thawing Despite ongoing claims from American media regarding North Korea's nuclear capabilities, there remains no definitive evidence to substantiate these allegations, which significantly shape negative perceptions of the country.
This chapter presents brief information of the related theoretical background
Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), previously known as Critical Linguistics (CL), is a framework that focuses on the linguistic, semiotic, and discourse analysis of texts According to van Dijk, CDA aims to uncover the discursive origins of power abuse, dominance, and inequality in both written and spoken forms It also investigates how these discursive elements are created, sustained, and perpetuated within specific social, political, and historical contexts.
Fairclough (1993) defines Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) as a systematic exploration of the complex relationships between discursive practices, events, and texts, and broader social and cultural structures CDA investigates how these elements are influenced by power relations and ideological struggles, highlighting the ways in which discourse shapes and is shaped by social dynamics Furthermore, it examines how the obscurity of these relationships contributes to the maintenance of power and hegemony within society.
Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) views discourse, encompassing both speech and writing, as a vital social practice, emphasizing the importance of context in language use (Fairclough & Wodak, 1997) It recognizes discourse as an integral component of social practices, influencing and being influenced by various elements within society (Chouliaraki & Fairclough, 1999).
‗always involves power and ideologies‘ (Wodak & Ludwig, 1999:12)
Van Dijk (2001) defines Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) as a scholarly approach that incorporates a critical perspective, essentially describing it as discourse analysis "with an attitude." This method emphasizes social issues, particularly examining how discourse contributes to the creation and perpetuation of power abuse and domination.
Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) focuses on the relationship between language, power, and ideology, aiming to reveal how dominant societal forces shape versions of reality that serve their interests Unlike traditional discourse analysis, which primarily examines text, CDA emphasizes the need for a comprehensive understanding of both text production and the social structures influencing meaning-making This approach considers individuals and social groups as historical subjects engaged in meaningful interactions with texts.
According to Wodak (2001), the term 'critical' involves maintaining a distance from the data while situating it within its social context and explicitly taking a political stance Furthermore, history plays a crucial role in Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), as every discourse is shaped and understood within specific historical contexts, which are influenced by the time and space in which they occur This historical dimension is essential for interpreting and explaining discourses, as it provides insight into the reasons behind people's feelings, thoughts, desires, and imaginations.
In Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), ideology is seen as a crucial factor in establishing and perpetuating unequal power dynamics (Wodak, 2001) Language serves as a mediator of ideology across various social institutions, with van Dijk (1995) describing ideologies as abstract mental systems that shape socially shared attitudes According to Thompson (as cited in Wodak, 2001), studying ideology involves examining how meaning is constructed and communicated through different symbolic forms Eagleton (1994) emphasizes the importance of considering diverse theories and theorists in understanding the relationship between thought and social reality when analyzing ideology (quoted in Wodak, 2001).
Power, as defined by Wodak (2001), relates to differences within social structures and their effects While language itself lacks inherent power, it derives its influence from the ways in which powerful individuals utilize it According to Fairclough (1989), this dynamic highlights the relationship between language and power in societal contexts.
Power relations exist within institutions among various social groupings, including dynamics between genders, ethnicities, and age groups These relations are characterized by struggle, a term that describes the interactions between social groups with differing interests.